2 Kings 13:12
“Now the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might with which he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?”
What does 2 Kings 13:12 mean?
This verse is essentially a footnote, pointing readers to a more complete historical record that existed in the author's time. The writer is saying: "If you want the full story of King Joash's reign and his military victories (particularly his conflict with Judah's King Amaziah), look it up in the official chronicles." It's like an ancient cross-reference, and it reminds us that the Bible's authors weren't trying to record every detail of history, just the parts they felt mattered most for understanding God's relationship with his people. The brevity here actually shows humility, acknowledging that other sources contained information beyond what this account includes.